In this conversation, Matt Payne interviews Steve Gettle, a nature photographer, about his photography journey and the challenges of monetizing photography. They discuss the process of finding a unique photographic voice and the balance between emulation and inspiration. They also explore the impact of social media on the photography industry and the changing landscape of making a living as a nature photographer. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of workshops and photo tours. The conversation covers topics such as the demographic shift and its impact on the landscape of photography, changing learning methods, the value of workshops and photo tours, the importance of critiques, the decline of camera clubs, traveling as a wildlife photographer, creating a nature photography paradise, and the debate around digital manipulation of nature photography. Stay up to date on the latest podcast episodes by subscribing to our newsletter! Links Natural Landscapes Books Support the podcast on Patreon. Watch the podcast onYouTube. Here is who Steve Recommended for the Podcast Tom Mangelsen. Marsel Van Oosten. Takeaways Finding a unique photographic voice takes time and requires putting in the hours to develop skills and a portfolio. Emulation of other photographers' work can be a valuable learning tool, but it's important to find one's own style and put a unique spin on images. Social media can be a double-edged sword, providing validation and exposure but also creating a gap between public perception and experienced photographers' opinions. Monetizing photography in today's digital age requires a diverse set of skills, including marketing, business acumen, and teaching abilities. Workshops and photo tours continue to be popular, but the market is becoming more competitive as more photographers enter the industry. The demographic shift, particularly the aging population, will impact the landscape of photography and who is able and willing to participate in trips and workshops. The way people learn photography has changed, with a shift towards online tutorials and self-teaching through platforms like YouTube. Camera clubs, once a valuable source of education and critique, are declining in popularity, and the younger generation is less likely to participate in them. Traveling as a wildlife photographer requires careful planning and consideration of logistics, including gear transportation. Creating a nature photography paradise in one's backyard can provide opportunities for portfolio-worthy images and a deeper connection with nature. The debate around digital manipulation of nature photography centers on the importance of honesty and transparency in representing the natural world. Critiques and feedback are essential for growth and improvement in photography, but the way they are delivered should be constructive and respectful. The public's perception of photography is often based on the perceived honesty of the medium, and photographers should strive to maintain that trust.

In this week's podcast, I sit down for a conversation with Tania Malkin, a photographer and artist. Tania discusses her journey in photography and the influence of other artistic mediums on her work. She shares the story behind one of her most impactful images and explains her approach to capturing photographs, particularly in aerial photography.  Tania also discusses the importance of pre-visualization and the role of instinct in her image-making process. She highlights the connection between her photography and other art forms, such as painting and ceramics. Additionally, Tania shares practical tips for getting into aerial photography and emphasizes the need to respect and acknowledge the indigenous owners of the land she photographs. In this conversation, Tania discusses the importance of appreciating the moment and taking the time to truly experience and understand the landscape. She also shares her hope that her photography can evoke an emotive response and promote the conservation of landscapes, regardless of their scale. Tania highlights the need to create awareness through photography and avoid desensitizing people to environmental issues. She talks about her experience as the winner of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year and her ongoing project. Stay up to date on the latest podcast episodes by subscribing to our newsletter! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon, or make a one-time donation on PayPal. Fuji GFX Challenge Grants. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Here is who Tania recommended on the podcast this week: Krystle Wright. Guy Havell. Huibo Hou. Jodi Bilske. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Contact me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you’d like to be on the podcast or have an idea of a topic we can discuss. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don’t be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. You can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link. Takeaways The process of capturing photographs involves considering the story and purpose behind the image, as well as the use of light and color to guide the viewer's attention. Aerial photography requires a combination of planning and instinct to capture unique and compelling images from the sky. Engaging with other artistic mediums can inform and enhance one's approach to photography, particularly in terms of understanding light, color, and composition. Increasing awareness and respect for the indigenous owners of the land is important in photography, and efforts should be made to acknowledge and share their stories and cultural significance.

Photographer Wayne Suggs joins host Matt Payne to discuss the value of photography workshops. They share insights on choosing workshops, physical capabilities, and preparing for workshops. They highlight the importance of instructors, hidden benefits like connections and learning, and their own experiences with workshops. A bonus episode on Patreon is also mentioned.

Refining our voice and vision as nature photographers is an ongoing process of discovery, experimentation, failure, and struggle. Fortunately, those who stick to what excites them about photography can tap into some really exciting photography that differentiates them as artists. One such artist that I have come to appreciate is this week’s F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast: Ian Gaston. Ian is based in Santa Cruz, California, and has moved away from cinematic grand landscapes. He now focuses his work on smaller scenes found in nature such as intricate wood grain and patterns found on sandy beaches. On this week's episode, we discuss: Ian's journey in landscape photography which began in the 500px era of cinematic grand landscapes, Ian's process for finding smaller scenes in nature, How Ian's processing of photographs has shifted since he began, The importance of letting go of expectations that may increase anxiety about what one finds in the field as a landscape photographer, And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon, or make a one-time donation on PayPal. David Southern. My Spain coastal photographs. Discord server for landscape photographers. Join us on Nature Photographer's Network. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Here is who Ian recommended on the podcast this week: Tania Malkin. Patrick McDonald. Elvis Dallie. Klaus Axelsen; my article about Klaus in On Landscape. Kavin Chawla. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Contact me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you’d like to be on the podcast or have an idea of a topic we can discuss. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don’t be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. You can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Finding ways to do more with our photography is something many photographers struggle with. While there's certainly nothing wrong with creating beautiful images to showcase beauty, there are other ways to make an impact. This week's F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast guest is conservation photographer and author Amy Gulick. Amy has been on a mission for over a decade to tell the story of Salmon in the Pacific Northwest. On this week's episode, we discuss: Amy's journey as a photographer. The importance of nature to humanity. Tips for conservation photography. Amy's work to tell the story of the salmon. Storytelling and photography. Making a lasting impact through photographs. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon, or make a one-time donation on PayPal. Amy's book: The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind. Amy's book: Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska’s Tongass Rain Forest. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Here is who Amy recommended on the podcast this week: Steve Winter. James Balog. Art Wolfe. Britta Jaschinski. Cole Thompson. Cristina Mittermeier. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

We live in a gear-obsessed world as photographers, with new lenses and cameras being touted as the magic solutions to improve our photography. While gear does play a role in helping us get the photographs we envision, there's so much more that goes into making quality, personally-meaningful photographs that are uniquely ours. Today's guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast, David duChemin, is a world & humanitarian assignment photographer, best-selling author, digital publisher, podcaster, and international workshop leader based in Vancouver Island, Canada. David refers to himself as a voice for human creativity in an industry that dwells too much on the technical. On this week's episode, we discuss: David's journey as a photographer. David's inspiring books that helped me as a photographer (these are affiliate links that help the show). Defining voice and vision in photography and their importance in improving as a photographer. Creativity and tips for improving creativity as photographers. Finding inspiration as photographers. And a lot more! On Patreon this week, David duChemin shares the story behind his foot amputation and we discuss how this life-changing event has impacted his photography. Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon, or make a one-time donation on PayPal. Join Nature Photographer's Network to improve your photography and subscribe to Nature Vision Magazine for inspiration. David's contact sheets. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube. Here is who David recommended on the podcast this week: Sam Abell. Elliott Erwitt. Fred Herzog. Ernst Haas. Willy Ronis. Paul Nicklen. Vincent Munier. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

As photographers, we often seek validation for our work, which can come from various sources. For some, this helps to propel us forward to create more interesting photographs, helping us to push the envelope. While external validation isn't something everyone seeks, it certainly can be a powerful motivator. Today's guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast, Jassen Todorov, is an award-winning aerial photographer who has been recognized for his outstanding ability to tell compelling stories through his aerial images. In today's podcast, I wanted to dig deeper into what motivates Jassen to create his jaw-dropping aerial images. On this week's episode, we discuss: How Jassen got into aerial photography. Jassen's career as a musician, pilot, and now, photographer. How Jassen creates compelling photographs while piloting his small plane. How and why Jassen is motivated by photography competitions. Jassen's experience with judging competitions for National Geographic. Tips for creating more exciting photographs. And a lot more! Please note, there is no YouTube upload this week due to technical difficulties with Jassen's audio and video set-up. On Patreon this week, Jassen shared some harrowing near-miss experiences that he's had while piloting his plane as a photographer. Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon, or make a one-time donation on PayPal. Here is who Jassen recommended on the podcast this week: Ivo Danchev. Anuar Floriuk. Mia Collis. Dimpy Bhalotia. F. Dilek Yurdakul. Ami Vitale. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

Photography can be one of the most powerful story-telling mediums that exists. Empowering at-risk or under-served youth to utilize this tool to tell their stories can result in uplifting and life-changing results. Today's guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast, Kirsten Elstner is the founder and director of National Geographic Photo Camp, whose mission is to work with youth from diverse communities worldwide, guiding them as they use photography to tell their own stories and develop meaningful connections with others. Since 2003, she has worked in over 35 countries and designed over 145 programs, with the intention of inspiring and encouraging young people to see the power of their own voices. On this week's episode, we discuss: What National Geographic Photo Camp is, how it was started, and what impacts it is making across the globe. How Photo Camp operates, including the selection process and funding. Advice for capturing more meaningful stories of our own. How Photo Camp looks to evolve in the future. How to get started with National Geographic as a photographer. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. National Geographic Society Educational Resources. The National Geographic Photo Camp book: Photo Camp Stories: Our World Through the Lens of Young Photographers. (This is an affiliate link which supports the show!) National Geographic Photo Camp on Instagram. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Kirsten recommended on the podcast this week: Lynn Johnson. Podcast Artwork: Cover of National Geographic's PHOTO CAMP STORIES book. Photo by Aye MayZan/National Geographic, Myanmar 2018.

As photographers we are often trying to figure out what we should do with our photographs. Of late, it has become more popular to produce a coffee table style book to showcase our work; however, not all photography books of this style are created equal. Today's guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast, Alex Nail, is one of my absolute favorite landscape photographers. He authored and produced one of my favorite photography books a few years back and now he's getting ready to release his second book, The Great Wilderness. His second book was a massive undertaking involving hundreds of miles of hiking over more than four years. Alex's dedication to the craft of landscape photography is nearly unparalleled in today's environment where editing used to make up for a lack of amazing conditions has become commonplace. On this week's episode, we discuss: How Alex's opinions have gotten him into hot water over the years and how he's adapted over time. Why Alex got involved as a co-founder of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards. Alex's approach to making photographs for his latest book. The nuts and bolts to making a high quality photography book, including color space. How much Alex's book cost and why. Alex's approach to shipping his book internationally. What to expect from Alex's book. Design considerations for a photography book. And a lot more! P.S. The first 20 listeners to use the code “USFSTOP” will get a £10 discount on shipping of Alex's book! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Alex's first appearance on the podcast. The ultimate processing debate episode with Alex Nail and Erin Babnik. David Ward. Joe Cornish. Theo Bosboom. Sandra Bartocha. Natural Landscape Photography Awards (NLPA). Kozu Books. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. Here is who Alex recommended on the podcast this week: Mark Littlejohn. Kenny Muir. Brian Pollock. My article about Brian's photography in On Landscape Magazine. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.

I recently embarked on a 35-day journey to hike the entire Colorado Trail, starting in Denver and ending in my home town of Durango. I embarked on this journey as a full-time professional landscape photographer with the hopes of capturing some incredible images and to have a transformative experience. Since returning, I've been bombarded with amazing questions about my experience and I figured why not turn this into a podcast episode!? Today's episode of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast is a little bit different! We have Brie Stockwell hosting the show and I'm in the hot seat! We collected all of your burning questions about what it was like to thru-hike all 491-miles of the Colorado Trail (via the Collegiate West route of course) as a photographer. On this week's episode, we discuss: What is the Colorado Trail and what is involved in thru-hiking it. Gear considerations for the Colorado Trail. Check out my Colorado Trail Gear Guide! Training and logistical preparation needed to do the Colorado Trail. Hygiene challenges including... pooping on the trail, laundry, and water filtration. Photography choices and balancing hiking with making photographs while doing a thru-hike. How I charged my photography gear while on the trail. Lots and lots of stories from the Colorado Trail. Discussions about philosophy and psychology relating to my experience on the Colorado Trail. And a lot more! Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week: Support the podcast on Patreon. Holy Hiker Backpacking Bidet. Gear Skeptic YouTube Videos on backpacking food and nutrition. My podcast conversation with Sean Tucker. Brie's podcasts, A Creative Affair, and Wild Women in Photography. Watch podcast episodes on YouTube, where we overlay photos with our conversation via video. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.